Guest guest Posted February 26, 2004 Report Share Posted February 26, 2004 Selenium Preventative and Therapeutic Benefits, by Dave Cowan It is challenging to isolate one particular nutrient among the 90 or so that we need on a daily basis and look at in isolation. When it comes to Selenium, however, I think we a have a special case, given the level of soil depletion of this nutrient in modern diets and the implications of Selenium deficiency in the development of serious illness. Researchers are particularly interested in the stats for Aids and Cancer in the African nation of Senegal. Although not differing from neighbor countries in levels of lifestyle factors associated with Aids transmission (polygamy, unprotected promiscuity), Aids levels have remained at 1 percent or less of the women attending post-natal clinics in Senegal since the mid-80's (, 03). As well, Senegal has the world's lowest incidence of Cancer. Mainstream medicine now acknowledges that 30% of Cancers are viral in origin. Royal Rife determined in the 1930's that all cancers were associated with a specific 'cancer virus' Scientists recognize that certain viruses, including HIV 1 & 2, sackie B and Hepatitis B and C viruses are unique in their ability to generate their own enzyme, glutathione peroxidase. Glutathione peroxidase contains Selenium. Could it be that in Selenium - rich environments the abundance of this enzyme already in the body limits the activity of these viruses? There does seem to be a clear relationship between Selenium levels and the occurrence of these diseases. The so-called 'disease belts' of sub-Saharan Africa and northern China are clearly Selenium deficient regions. New strains of Flu often emerge out of northern China. Cowgill (1997) correlated depressed levels of Selenium in American soils with Aids mortality back in 1990. In China, Beck (1995) correlated high levels of Keshan disease, a condition involving heart infection with the sackie virus, with selenium deficient regions. Perhaps many cases of myocardial infarction involve the same virus. Studies in England (Nicholls and , Lancet 1977) showed dramatic drops in levels of recurrence of myocardial infarction in those who took Selenium after the first attack. And finally, after watching studies in China, Berkson (1999) demonstrated reversal of Hepatitis B and C damage to the liver with a combination of alpha-lipoic acid (a free radical scavenger) siylmarin (milk thistle) and Selenium. Selenium is needed for proper Immune function. It also improves male fertility and prevents miscarriage. Low levels are associated with depression and other mental disorders. As in Senegal, high levels prevent cancer, especially of the breast, prostate, lung and colon. Most dietary Selenium comes from meat, poultry and fish (assuming these are fed on Selenium-containing nutrients). Tuna is a particularly good source, as is Brazil Nuts (6 a day). Supplementing 200 micrograms a day is good insurance. One study showed a near doubling in the activity of Natural Killer Cells with supplementation. Adding Selenium to the food supply is now being looked at seriously in Europe, which also has selenium deficient soils. Do not supplement over 600 mcg a day, as Selenium being a trace mineral, higher doses can be toxic. Look for a supplement with superior binding agents such as l- methionine for maximum bio-availability. Instead of the current money-motivated 'search for the cure', (ie: cancer and AIDS) why aren't more resources being applied to propagating proven preventative measures? Starting with ourselves, clients, friends and family, we can make a difference by assuring we each are good examples of preventative practices and in sharing this much needed information freely. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 26, 2004 Report Share Posted February 26, 2004 All, I am going ot make comments about the article and they are not related to Karolyn or her posting the article!! There are several key and fatal flaws in this article. > When it comes to Selenium, however, I >think we a have a special >case, given the level of soil depletion of this nutrient in modern >diets and the implications of >Selenium deficiency in the development of serious illness. Selenium has not been depleted in soils but it is recognized that some regions have a natural deficiency in this element. For example the SAn Joaquin valley is enriched in selenium and grass hay grown on these soils is transported and fed to cattle in regions who's soil are naturally low in selenium. For humans selenium deficiencies are quite rare and it is doubtful that any reading this are deficient in selenium. Selenium deficiencies are very very rare and current research shows only the most fleeting association with selenium and disease. > >Researchers are particularly interested >in the stats for Aids and Cancer in the African nation of Senegal. >Although not differing from >neighbor countries in levels of lifestyle factors associated with >Aids transmission (polygamy, >unprotected promiscuity), Aids levels have remained at 1 percent or >less of the women attending >post-natal clinics in Senegal since the mid-80's (, 03). As >well, Senegal has the world's >lowest incidence of Cancer. The point the author is trying got make is very unclear...note no references or mention of selenium although from previous passages the author is trying to imply that selenium is the difference....no references support this notion. Cancer is a disease of old age and the lifespan in Senegal is about 62 years of age ranking 149 in the worlds countries for life expectancy....not something I would say was all that great. Senegal population also has 47% of the people as being under the age of 15....no wonder they have a low cancer rate.... > Mainstream medicine now acknowledges >that 30% of Cancers are viral in >origin. Royal Rife determined in the 1930's that all cancers were >associated with a specific >'cancer virus' Simply not true....especially Rife's speculations. Viral infections are associated with some cancers...note some...cancer is recognized to have many etiologies but virus infection is only associated with a few types. >Scientists recognize that certain viruses, including HIV 1 & 2, >sackie B and Hepatitis B and C >viruses are unique in their ability to generate their own enzyme, >glutathione peroxidase. This is absolutely and completely false!! Glutathione peroxidase is a mitochondrial enzyme and its origin lies in the mitochondrial genome......this is a LIE!! None of these virus produce this enzyme!! >Glutathione peroxidase contains Selenium. Could it be that in >Selenium - rich environments the >abundance of this enzyme already in the body limits the activity of >these viruses? We all have this enzyme and as stated before selenium deficiencies are very very rare....it is unlikely that anyone has a problem with the levels of this enzyme. Selenium is incorporated into the enzyme from inorganic selenium to produce the 21'st amino acid selenocysteine. The answer to the second specualtion by the author is NO. >There does seem >to be a clear relationship between Selenium levels and the occurrence >of these diseases. What is this clear relationship...the author makes no case for this. >The >so-called 'disease belts' of sub-Saharan Africa and northern China >are clearly Selenium deficient >regions. New strains of Flu often emerge out of northern China. The realtionship between selenium deficient soils and new flu strains is ridiculous. It is well know that the rural life style and close association of poultry and swine result in mutations of natural virus into strains that can and do infect humans....ridiculous conjecture....and also false. >Cowgill (1997) correlated depressed levels of Selenium in American >soils with Aids mortality back >in 1990. I am sure there are a lot of things that you could correlate with AIDS deaths but =correlation does not equal causation. > And finally, after watching studies >in China, Berkson (1999) >demonstrated reversal of Hepatitis B and C damage to the liver with a >combination of alpha-lipoic >acid (a free radical scavenger) siylmarin (milk thistle) and >Selenium. The BErson studies on 3 patients ahve never been duplicated in over ten years since his experiment. There are thousands of HCV patients taking this regime and no reports of the dramatic reversals that Berkson claimed his patients underwent......I would take the Berkson study with a very large grain of salt. >Instead of the current money-motivated 'search for the cure', (ie: >cancer and AIDS) why aren't >more resources being applied to propagating proven preventative >measures? This type of research is taking place but the results are not so spectacular as the author would like you to believe. go ahead and take your selenium supplement but do watch that you don't overdose yourself. The author clearly understands little on the topic and this article is filled with falsehoods and speculation rather than proven relationships. regards, BobK Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 26, 2004 Report Share Posted February 26, 2004 Thanks, Bob. > All, > I am going ot make comments about the article and they are not related to > Karolyn or her posting the article!! There are several key and fatal flaws > in this article. > > > When it comes to Selenium, however, I > >think we a have a special > >case, given the level of soil depletion of this nutrient in modern > >diets and the implications of > >Selenium deficiency in the development of serious illness. > > Selenium has not been depleted in soils but it is recognized that some > regions have a natural deficiency in this element. For example the SAn > Joaquin valley is enriched in selenium and grass hay grown on these soils > is transported and fed to cattle in regions who's soil are naturally low in > selenium. For humans selenium deficiencies are quite rare and it is > doubtful that any reading this are deficient in selenium. Selenium > deficiencies are very very rare and current research shows only the most > fleeting association with selenium and disease. > > > > >Researchers are particularly interested > >in the stats for Aids and Cancer in the African nation of Senegal. > >Although not differing from > >neighbor countries in levels of lifestyle factors associated with > >Aids transmission (polygamy, > >unprotected promiscuity), Aids levels have remained at 1 percent or > >less of the women attending > >post-natal clinics in Senegal since the mid-80's (, 03). As > >well, Senegal has the world's > >lowest incidence of Cancer. > > The point the author is trying got make is very unclear...note no > references or mention of selenium although from previous passages the > author is trying to imply that selenium is the difference....no references > support this notion. Cancer is a disease of old age and the lifespan in > Senegal is about 62 years of age ranking 149 in the worlds countries for > life expectancy....not something I would say was all that great. Senegal > population also has 47% of the people as being under the age of 15....no > wonder they have a low cancer rate.... > > > Mainstream medicine now acknowledges > >that 30% of Cancers are viral in > >origin. Royal Rife determined in the 1930's that all cancers were > >associated with a specific > >'cancer virus' > > > Simply not true....especially Rife's speculations. Viral infections are > associated with some cancers...note some...cancer is recognized to have > many etiologies but virus infection is only associated with a few types. > > > >Scientists recognize that certain viruses, including HIV 1 & 2, > >sackie B and Hepatitis B and C > >viruses are unique in their ability to generate their own enzyme, > >glutathione peroxidase. > > > This is absolutely and completely false!! Glutathione peroxidase is a > mitochondrial enzyme and its origin lies in the mitochondrial > genome......this is a LIE!! None of these virus produce this enzyme!! > > >Glutathione peroxidase contains Selenium. Could it be that in > >Selenium - rich environments the > >abundance of this enzyme already in the body limits the activity of > >these viruses? > > We all have this enzyme and as stated before selenium deficiencies are very > very rare....it is unlikely that anyone has a problem with the levels of > this enzyme. Selenium is incorporated into the enzyme from inorganic > selenium to produce the 21'st amino acid selenocysteine. The answer to the > second specualtion by the author is NO. > > >There does seem > >to be a clear relationship between Selenium levels and the occurrence > >of these diseases. > > > What is this clear relationship...the author makes no case for this. > > >The > >so-called 'disease belts' of sub-Saharan Africa and northern China > >are clearly Selenium deficient > >regions. New strains of Flu often emerge out of northern China. > > The realtionship between selenium deficient soils and new flu strains is > ridiculous. It is well know that the rural life style and close > association of poultry and swine result in mutations of natural virus into > strains that can and do infect humans....ridiculous conjecture....and also > false. > > > >Cowgill (1997) correlated depressed levels of Selenium in American > >soils with Aids mortality back > >in 1990. > > I am sure there are a lot of things that you could correlate with AIDS > deaths but =correlation does not equal causation. > > > And finally, after watching studies > >in China, Berkson (1999) > >demonstrated reversal of Hepatitis B and C damage to the liver with a > >combination of alpha-lipoic > >acid (a free radical scavenger) siylmarin (milk thistle) and > >Selenium. > > > The BErson studies on 3 patients ahve never been duplicated in over ten > years since his experiment. There are thousands of HCV patients taking > this regime and no reports of the dramatic reversals that Berkson claimed > his patients underwent......I would take the Berkson study with a very > large grain of salt. > > >Instead of the current money-motivated 'search for the cure', (ie: > >cancer and AIDS) why aren't > >more resources being applied to propagating proven preventative > >measures? > > > This type of research is taking place but the results are not so > spectacular as the author would like you to believe. go ahead and take > your selenium supplement but do watch that you don't overdose yourself. > > The author clearly understands little on the topic and this article is > filled with falsehoods and speculation rather than proven relationships. > regards, > BobK Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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